Innovative reed bed aids recycling

Reed bed at Caenby EMN-140808-085622001

The planting of a reed bed is saving a Lincolnshire-based company more than 24,000 litres of water per day.

Agricultural plastic waste recycling company, Agri.Cycle Ltd, has recently had reed beds installed at its processing site in Caenby, in order to reduce its water consumption by cleansing and recycling waste water.

The reed bed, measuring 24m x 8m is able to treat waste water through the extensive root systems of the reeds which create channels for the waste water to pass through. The roots introduce oxygen into the soil and provide an environment where aerobic bacteria can thrive. Finally, the reeds themselves take up a certain amount of nutrients themselves – the waste water acting as a natural fertiliser for them.

The Agri.Cycle reed bed is now also a welcome home to a mother duck and her eggs.

And the plan is to eventually double the size of the reed bed in order to maximise the potential benefits to the company.

“Agri.Cycle is committed to developing cost effective and efficient ways of complying with current environmental legislation”, said Robert Moore, Managing Director.

“The installation of the reed bed has been a simple, cost saving addition to our processing plant and supports our company‘s obligation to the environment.”